Using the ecological approach to explain risk factors of elder abuse in Iran (A qualitative study)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: World Health Organization suggests that different societies should investigate the causes of abuse in their culture. AIMS: This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors of elder abuse in Iran using an ecological approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a qualitative study, and the participants were older adults and caregivers. The data were collected using 66 interviews. Analysis of data was simultaneously performed with data collection, using MAXQDA 10, and results were reported based on Elo's recommendation. RESULTS: Five main categories of data analysis were obtained based on Bronfenbrenner's model: exo-system: conflict of care with caregivers' jobs, meso-system: failure to meet expectations of support systems, macro-system: social culture, socioeconomic structure, status of enactment, and implementation of legal and financial laws. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed risk factors of elder abuse in the sociocultural context of Iran, and its results can be used for health promotion interventions.